Saturday, February 20, 2010

ROAD TO WRESTLEMANIA XXVI: THE HOME STRETCH

Beginning with this Sunday's Elimination Chamber, here are my final predictions going into WRASSLEMANIA XXVI.

WWE ELIMINATION CHAMBER

WITH FOUR MATCHES - AND PROBABLY AN HOUR'S WORTH OF BACKSTAGE SEGMENTS!

Predictions include confidence points. Confidence points are used by assigning a number to each prediction. The higher the number, the more confident you are in your pick - but you can only use each number once. With only four matches, you use the numbers 1-4. If your prediction is correct, you get as many points as you bet.

- That's right. Here goes nothing. I'm diving head first into what I've been predicting all along. Not because it makes sense. But because it's the WWE and they're crazy.

- I think they're 100% swerving us. Everyone expects Shawn Michaels to replace the injured Morrison in order to screw Undertaker out of his title and set up HBK/Taker II (V, actually). BUT, I think Batista will take that spot and win, setting up Batista/Cena II - FOR BOTH TITLES. Even though that is crazy.

- Mario, from the POW/GSB had a great idea in that Punk starts with Truth, eliminates him quickly, and spends the remainder of the five minutes cutting a promo. This would rule.

- With Cody causing Orton to lose on a few occasions, and Ted eliminating Orton from the EC Match... only one thing can happen - a father/son triple threat match!

THE STREAK

Undertaker vs. Sheamus

- Not sure how the feud will start, could be as easy as Sheamus getting cocky and showing up on Smackdown to attack the Deadman.

- The match is sold on the fact that Sheamus beat John Cena when NOBODY thought he would - why wouldn't he be the one to beat Taker at Mania?

HAIR VS. MASK

CM Punk (with the Straight-Edge Society) vs. Rey Mysterio

- Will be amazing.

- Punk loses to have his head shaved, which will be one of the best things ever. Punk selling getting his head shaved while being held like he's on the cross will tear the house down.

UNIFIED TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP

Champions "ShoMiz" Big Show & The Miz (with NXT Rookie Daniel Bryan)

vs.

Challengers MVP & Mark Henry (with NXT Rookie Skip Sheffield)

- Not sure if Regal is replacing MVP for sure or not, but I think this would make total sense. Miz and MVP have been feuding for a while, and it'd be cool to add some extra parts to that feud - like their NXT Rooks, and their tag partners (plus it gives them that payday).

INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP

John Morrison vs. Drew McIntyre

- This feud's been brewing for a while, and I think it'll be furthered at Elimination Chamber, building to a title match at Mania.

- This year I think they do it right, and it's an actual match that people might care about. No cameos really though.

This card still lacks Christian, Matt Hardy, Kofi Kingston, Kane (all who will end up on the card somehow, I'm sure) and Dolph Ziggler, Evan Bourne, Ezekiel Jackson, Zack Ryder, Yoshi Tatsu, William Regal, Jack Swagger, Hart Dynasty, Cryme Tyme, Carlito, Chris Masters, Chavo Guerrero, Primo, Santino Marella, Finlay, Mike Knox, R-Truth, The Great Khali, Shelton Benjamin, The Hurricane, Goldust, Vance Archer and MAYBE MORE - who will all have a harder time getting on the card without some kind of MITB or Battle Royal, even if it's pre-show thing.

So this card clearly has it's flaws, but I think what I've got up there could make up the bulk of the show - and a pretty enjoyable one at that.

PHEW!

So feel free to include your picks (with confidence points) for the Elimination Chamber tomorrow.